Lo all over the place in public

It seems like I'm at my wits end and want to know if there's other moms going through this. When we are in a public area, and he's not in a stroller, he just runs off. Won't hold my hand. When I grab him, it's a struggle. He can't stay in one place. Another thing, when we re at a birthday party or another event, he won't eat with other kids at the kids table. He ll eat later when they're all done (but we have eating issues these days. All of a sudden, he's become picky! Only way I get veggies or fruits in him is if I use our juicer. Words of advice is much appreciated

It seems like I'm at my wits end and want to know if there's other moms going through this. When we are in a public area, and he's not in a stroller, he just runs off. Won't hold my hand. When I grab him, it's a struggle. He can't stay in one place. Another thing, when we re at a birthday party or another event, he won't eat with other kids at the kids table. He ll eat later when they're all done (but we have eating issues these days. All of a sudden, he's become picky! Only way I get veggies or fruits in him is if I use our juicer. Words of advice is much appreciated

I do think this is pretty normal. If you look around you'll see lots of "toddlers" doing the same things, especially in public, with all of us chasing them around. They love to be independent and find their way around the world. I think it's the same as in any situation with these guys... realizing what they are doing is normal developmentally, and finding ways to keep them safe. And as always, starting to teach them that while they have to listen to you, because you are keeping them safe, you also care about what they are doing, how they are feeling and what they want.. It's about compromising and respecting each other. What we do a lot, is say to our son, "you can't go over there because that's not safe, and I'm sorry that makes you upset, BUT, we could go here and do this together"... and while he might throw a fit, that he wants to do that other thing, he will usually cry and then come and do the other things with us. It's about setting his limits, acknowledging his feelings, being there for him when he's upset, and finding alternate, safe things to do. At least this works well for us... most of the time. Sometimes you will find nothing works and getting back in the stroller and out of the situation is the only thing that helps! Hang in there and know it's totally normal!!!

As for the eating, this is normal too and just hang in there. Keep introducing lots of healthy choices and let him determine what he will eat.

I do think this is pretty normal. If you look around you'll see lots of "toddlers" doing the same things, especially in public, with all of us chasing them around. They love to be independent and find their way around the world. I think it's the same as in any situation with these guys... realizing what they are doing is normal developmentally, and finding ways to keep them safe. And as always, starting to teach them that while they have to listen to you, because you are keeping them safe, you also care about what they are doing, how they are feeling and what they want.. It's about compromising and respecting each other. What we do a lot, is say to our son, "you can't go over there because that's not safe, and I'm sorry that makes you upset, BUT, we could go here and do this together"... and while he might throw a fit, that he wants to do that other thing, he will usually cry and then come and do the other things with us. It's about setting his limits, acknowledging his feelings, being there for him when he's upset, and finding alternate, safe things to do. At least this works well for us... most of the time. Sometimes you will find nothing works and getting back in the stroller and out of the situation is the only thing that helps! Hang in there and know it's totally normal!!!

As for the eating, this is normal too and just hang in there. Keep introducing lots of healthy choices and let him determine what he will eat.

I know how you feel...for example I was so excited to take my son to story time at the library then I realized he was the only toddler there who refused to sit down, he wanted to stand up, walk around and do his own thing. I was so embarrassed when the librarian would say 'mommy sit down with him." How could I explain that he does not want to sit? Then I looked around and he was the only boy, besides one asian baby!

So I realize this is just how he is, he wants to explore the world around him by walking around. Its a very boy thing to want to run around and be active and even the most active girls will follow a group more well than boys, and this is what I've seen from all my friends who have toddlers.

When we have gone to museums and such we use the kid leash from Edie Bauer. My husband doesn't like to be seen with it, but then again DS will listen to him when he's outside but he will make me chase him endlessly! I know there are parents very opposed to the kid leash but its such a good thing for us. He gets to walk around and explore and I get to make sure he doesn't run onto the road or somewhere else dangerous.

We went to target on the weekend and of course he didn't want to stay in the shopping cart. We didn't bring the kid leash so I spent 20 minutes following him around in the store as he explored. Then he finally got tired and went back in the cart. So sometimes I don't mind having to do this but it surely is a test in patience!

I know how you feel...for example I was so excited to take my son to story time at the library then I realized he was the only toddler there who refused to sit down, he wanted to stand up, walk around and do his own thing. I was so embarrassed when the librarian would say 'mommy sit down with him." How could I explain that he does not want to sit? Then I looked around and he was the only boy, besides one asian baby!

So I realize this is just how he is, he wants to explore the world around him by walking around. Its a very boy thing to want to run around and be active and even the most active girls will follow a group more well than boys, and this is what I've seen from all my friends who have toddlers.

When we have gone to museums and such we use the kid leash from Edie Bauer. My husband doesn't like to be seen with it, but then again DS will listen to him when he's outside but he will make me chase him endlessly! I know there are parents very opposed to the kid leash but its such a good thing for us. He gets to walk around and explore and I get to make sure he doesn't run onto the road or somewhere else dangerous.

We went to target on the weekend and of course he didn't want to stay in the shopping cart. We didn't bring the kid leash so I spent 20 minutes following him around in the store as he explored. Then he finally got tired and went back in the cart. So sometimes I don't mind having to do this but it surely is a test in patience!

We also use a kid leash for dd. As far as im concerned, its a safety device. People may think, oh you are treating your kid like a dog...maybe. I dont want my dog running off and getting lost or hit by a car either. And since my child is more important to me than the dog, why WOULDNT i take the necessary safety measures?

We also use a kid leash for dd. As far as im concerned, its a safety device. People may think, oh you are treating your kid like a dog...maybe. I dont want my dog running off and getting lost or hit by a car either. And since my child is more important to me than the dog, why WOULDNT i take the necessary safety measures?

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